2-formyl-delta&#39;-androstenes and delta1,4-androstadienes



3,101,353 Z-FURMYL-N-ANDRGSTENES AND A- ANDROSTADENES Albert Bowers and John Edwards, Mexico City, Mexico,

assignors, by mesne assignments, to Syntex Corporation,

a corporation of Panama No Drawing. Filed July 19, 1961, er. No. 125,107 18 Claims. (Cl. 260-39724) The present invention relates to novel cyclopentanophenanthrene compounds and to a process for the pro- OR OR m m HJL aifjj/ In the above formulas R represents hydrogen or methyl; R may be hydrogen or a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; and R represents hydrogen, or an alkyl, alkenyl or alkinyl group containing less than 8 carbon atoms.

Typical groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, ethenyl, bu tenyl, hexenyl, ethinyl, propinyl and butinyl.

The acyl group is derived from hydrocarbon carboxylic "acids containing less than 12 carbon atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated, of straight, branched, cyclic or cyclic-aliphatic chain, aromatic and may be substituted by functional groups such as hydroxy, alkoxy containing up to carbon atoms, :acyloxy containing up to 12 carbon atoms, nitro, amino or halogen. Typical ester groups are the acetate, propionate, enanthate, benzoate, trirnethylacetate, t-buty-lacetate, phenoxyacetate, cyclopentylpropionate, aminoacetate and fl-chloropropionate.

The compounds represented by the above formulas are powerful anabolicagents with low androgenicity and exhibit anti-estrogenic activity and lower the blood cholesterol level. The compounds represented by the above formulas wherein R is alkenyl or alkinyl have also progestational activity.

The compounds of the present invention are prepared by the process illustrated by the following equation:

Patented Aug. 20, 1963 III In the above formulas R, R and R have the same meaning as previously set forth. Z represeutsa double bond or a saturated linkage between C-4 and 0-5. When R l-l, Z is a saturated linkage. a

In practicing the process outlined above the starting 2- hydroxy-methylen-androstan-17,8-01-3-one derivative (I) obtained as described in Ringold et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 81, 427 (1959), is treated with 1.1 molar equivalents of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone for a period of time of the order of 1-5 minutes, preferably one minute, thus furnishing the corresponding Z-formyl-N-androsten- 17fi-ol-3-one derivative (II).

In a similar manner, the 2-hydroxymethylene-testos-terone derivative (I: Z=double bond) described by Ringold et .al., supra, are treated with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-pbenzoquinone for a period of time of the order of l-S minutes, preferably two minutes, to aiford the corresponding Z-tormyl-A -androstadiene derivatives (II: Z=double bond).

The obtained secondary alcohols such as the -01 derivatives are convention-ally acylated in pyridine with a suitable acylating agent such as acetic anhydride or propionic anhydride, affording the corresponding 17;?- acyloxy derivative (Ill: R =H).

The tertiary alcohols such as the Hot-substituted 17,8-01 derivatives are conventionally iacylated with excess acylating agent such as acetic anhydride, in the presence of ptoluenesulfonic acid to give the corresponding 17,8-acyloxy derivative (Ill: R =hydrocarbon).

The novel compounds of the present invention may also be prepared by first ebrominating a Z-hydroxymethylene androstane derivative (1) to form the corresponding 2- bromo-Z-formyl derivative which is then dehydrobro- Ininated as by treatment with calcium carbonate or. a mixture of lithium bromide and lithium carbonate in dimethylformamide to afford the 2-formylA -androstene (III).

The following specific examples serve to illustrate but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention:

Example I To a solution of 3 g. of dihydrotestosterone in 60 cc. of

anhydrous benzene was added 3 cc. of ethyl formate and 3 terone, yielding correspondingly 2-hydroxymethylene-17amethyl -dihydro testoster one, Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethyl-dihydrotestosterone, 2-hydroxy-methylene-17a-viny1-dihydrotestosterone and 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethinyldihydrotestosterone.

Example II 19-nor-dihydrotestosterone, 17a-methyl-19-nor-dihydrotestosterone, 1706 ethyl 19 nor dihydrostestosterone, 17a-vinyl 19 nor dihydrotestosterone, and 17a-ethinyl 19-nor-dihydrotestosterone were treated by the procedure described in Example I, affording respectively Z-hydroxymethylene-19-nor-dihydrotestosterone, 2-hydroxymethylene-'17a-methyl-19 nor ldihydrotestosterone, Z-hydroxymethy1ene-17a-ethyl 19 nor dihydrotestosterone, 2-hy droxymethylene-17a-viny1- 19 nor dihydrotestosterone, 2 hydroxymethylene 17a ethinyl 19 nor -dihyd-rotestosterone.

Example III When applying the procedure described in Example I to: testosterone, l7a methyl-testosterone, 17a-vinyltestosterone and 1*7a-ethinyl-testosterone, there were obtained Z-hydroxymethylene-testosterone, 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-testosterone, 2-hydroxymethyLene-17avinyl-testosterone, and 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethinyltestosterone.

Example I V To 1 g. of Z-hydroxymethylen-androstan-17 B-ol-3-one in 10 cc. of dioxane, was added a solution of 1.1 molar equivalents of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone in 10 cc. of dioxane. After one minute at room temperature, the resulting mixture was diluted with methylene chloride and filtered through 40 g. of alumina. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness and the residue was recrystallized from acetone-hexane thus affording 2-formyl- A -androsten-l7fl-ol-3-one with a melting point of 215-7 C.; [:1 +23, A max 241, log 6 3.9.

When applying the above procedure to Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-androstan-17B-ol-3-or1e, and 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethyl-androstan-175-01-3 one, there were obtained respectively 2-formyl-17a-methyl-A -androsten-17p-ol-3 one, and 2-formyl-17a-ethyl A androsten- 17fi-ol-3-one.

Example V 2-hydroxymethylene-1'7amethyl-A -androsten 17B ol- 3-one was treated following the technique described in Example IV furnishing 2-formyl-17a-methy1-A -androstadien-17fl-ol-3-one With a melting point of 926 C.; [aJ 66.5, A max 248 m log 5:4.04.

By the same technique were treated Z-hydroxyrnethylen- A -androsten-17fl-ol-3-one and 2-hydroxymethylen-17aethyl-.A -androsten-17p-ol-3-one thus furnishing respectively 2-formyl A androstadien 17p ol 3 one, and 2-formy-l-17a-ethyhA -androstadien-17p-ol-3-one.

Example VI Following the procedure described in Example IV were treated 2-hydroxymethylene-19-nor-androstan-17fi ol 3- one, 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-19 nor androstan- 17B-ol-3-one, and Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethyl-19-norandrostan 17/3 ol 3 one, thus furnishing respectively 2-formyl-19-nor-A androsten-17fl-ol-3-one, 2-formyl-17amethyl-19-nor-A -androsten-17,8-ol-3-one, and Z-formyl- 17a-ethyl-19-nor-A -androsten-17fi-o1-3-one.

Example VII A mixture of 2 g. of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone in 40 cc. of dioxane was added to a solution of 2 g. of Z-hydroxy-methylene dihydrotesto'sterone, in 30 cc. of dioxane at room temperature. After 2 minutes at room temperature the reaction 'mixture was diluted with 50 cc.

Example VIII Z-hydroxymethylene-19-nor dihydrotestosterone, 2-hydroxymethylene-17a-methyl-19-n0r dihydrotestosterone, Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethyl-19-nor-dihydrotestosterone, and 2-hydroxymethylene-17u-viny1-19-nor-dihydrotestosterone, and Z-hydroxymethylene-17a-ethinyl-19-nor-dihydrotestosterone were treated by the procedure described in Example VII, aifording respectively 2-formyl-19-nor- A androsten 17,5 o1 3 one, 2-formyl-17a-methyl-19- nor-A -androsten-17/3-ol-3-one, 2-formyl-17a-ethyl-19-nor- A -androsten-17,8-ol-3-0ne, 2-formyl-17a vinyl 19 nor- A -androsten-17.5-ol-3-one, and 2-formyl-17a-ethiny1-19- nor-h -androsten-17fl-ol-3-one.

Example IX When applying the procedure described in Example VII to 2-hydroxymethylene-testosterone, Z-hydroxymethylene- 17ot-rnethyl-testosterone, 2-hydroxymethylene-17a vinyltestosterone and Z-hydroxymethylene-17ot-ethinyl-testosterone, there were obtained 2-formyl-A androstadien- 17fl-ol-3-one, 2-formyl-17a-methyl-A -androstadien-17/3- ol-3-one, Z-formyl-17a-vinyl-A -androstadien 01-3- one and Z-formyl-17a-ethinyl-A -androstadien-175-01-3- one.

Example X A mixture of 1 g. of 2-formylaA -androsten-17,6-01-3- one, 4 cc. of pyridine and 2 cc. of acetic anhydride was kept at room temperature overnight, poured into ice water, the formed precipitate was filtered ofi, washed with water and dried. Crystallization from acetone-hexane 'afiorded 2-formyl-A -androsten-175-01-3-0ne-17-acetate.

Following the above technique, there were treated 2-formy1-19-nor-A -androsten-17,6-01-3-one and 2-formy-1- A -androstadien-l7 B-ol-3 one yielding correspondingly 2-formyl-19-nor-A androsten-l7 B ol 3 one-acetate and 2-formyl A -androstadien-17/3-ol-3-one acetate.

Example XI Using the conditions described in Example X except that acetic anhydride was substituted by tpropionic anhydride, caproic anhydride, cyclopentylpropionic anhydride and benzyl chloride, there were correspondingly produced the propionates, caproates, cyclopentyl-propionates and benzoates of the starting compounds set forth in the aforementioned example.

Example XII A mixture of 1 g. of Z-formyl-l7a methyl-A -androsten-17fl-ol-3-one, 1 g. of p-toluene-sulfonic acid monohydrate, 5 0 cc. of acetic acid and 25 cc. of acetic anhydride was kept for 24 hours at room temperature. It was then poured into water and stirred until the excess of anhydride had hydrolyzed. Isolation of the product by methylene chloride extraction and crystallization of the residue from acetone ether gave 2-formyl-17amethyl- A -androsten-17fi-ol-3-one-acetate.

Following the above described technique were treated the following starting compounds affording correspondingly the products hereinafter set forth.

Starting compounds Products 2-f0rmy1-17a-vinyl-A -andr osten- 17B-ol-3-one. 2-formyl-lh-ethinyl-N-androsten 176-01-3-0ne. z-formyl-lh-methyl-IQ-norandrostan-17fi-ol-3-one. 2-formyl-17a-vinyl-19-n0randrostan-17fl l-3-0ne. 2-iormyl-17a-ethiny1-19-norandrostan-17B-ol-3-one. 2-f0rmy1-17a-metl1y1-A androstadien-17fl-o1-3-o11e. 2-iorrnyl-17a-vinyl-A androstadien-17B-ol-3-one. z-iormyl-lh-ethinyl-A andrcstadien-l7B-ol-3-one.

Example XIII Following the same technique described in Example XII, there were treated the starting compounds listed below with the indicated anhydride furnishing the products hereinafter set forth.

Starting compound Anhydride Product Z-formyI-Ha-methyI-A Oaproic. 17-caproate oi 2-i0rmylandrosten-17B-ol-3-one. 17a-methyl-A 'andr0sten- 17 3-ol-3-one. 2-formyl-17a-ethy1-A Propionic.-- 17-propionate of Hut-ethylandrcsten-17B-ol-3-onc. z androstenl75-01- -onc.

Do Cyclopenl7-cyclopentylpropionate ty1proof Mormyl-lM-ethyl-N- pionic. androsten-l7fi-ol-3-one.

2-formyl-17a-rnethy1-19-n0r- Propionic--. 17-pr0pionate of 2-formy1- A androstcn-l7fl-ol-3-one. 17a-methy1-19-n0r-A androsten-17B-o1-3-one.

Do Cyclopen- 17-cyc1openty1propionate ty1proof 2-formy1-17m-methy1- picnic. A -androsten-l7fl-ol- 3-one. 2-f 1my hy1-19-n0r- Propiom'c 17-propionate of 2-formy1- A -androsten-17B-ol3one. l7a-ethyl-19-nor-A androsten-17fl-ol-3-one. Do Caproic 17-capr0atc of2-iormyl- 17a-ethy1-19-nor-A androsten-17fl-o1-3-0ne. 2-tormy1-17a-ethyl-A Acetic 17-acctate of 2-formyl-17aandrostadien-flfl-ol-B-one. ethyl-A androstadien- 17,6-01-3-one. D0 Propionic..- 17-propionate of 2-iormyl- 17a-ethyl-A androstadien-17B-o1-3-one. 2-formyl-l7a-methyl-A Caproic 17-eaproate of Z-fOIIDYI-I'Yczandrostadien-17fl-0l-3-one. methyl-A andmstadien-17fl-ol-3-onc.

Do Cyclopen- 17-cyclopcntylpropionate tylproof 2-iormyl-17a-mcthy1- picnic. A 3; -androstadien-17fl-o1- -one.

We claim:

1. A compound of the following formula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hy-. drogen and methyl; R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; and R is selected trom the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyL and an alkinyl group each containing less than 8 carbon atoms.

2. 2-formyl-A -androsten-17fl-ol-3-one.

3. Z-formyl-17a-methyl-A androsten-17,8-ol-3-one.

4. Z forrnyl-17a-ethinyl-A -androsten-17/3-ol-3-one.

5. Z-formyl-19-nor-A -andr0sten-17B-ol-3-one.

6. Z-formyl 17a methyl-19-nor-A -androsten-175-0 3-one.

7. 2 L tormyl 17u-ethinyl-19-nor-A -andnosten-1718-01- 3-one.

8. 2-f0rmy1-A -an=drosten-17B-o1-3-one-17-acetate.

9. 2 tormyl 19-nor-A -androsten-17,8-ol-31one-17- acetate.

10. 2--formyl-1hmethyl-N-andr-osten-17fi ol-3-one-17- acetate.

11. 2-tfonnyl-Hot-methyl-19-nor-A -a.ndrosten-17 8-01-3- one-17-acetate. M

12. A compound of the cfollowing tonnula:

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboXylic acyl g oup of less than 12 carbon atoms; and R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, and an alkinyl group each containing less than 8 carbon atoms.

.13. 2-formyl-A -androstadien-17/3-ol-3-one.

14. 2-formyl 17a methyl-A -androstadien-17,8-ol-3- one.

15. 2-ifiormyl-A -androstadien-17fl-ol-3-one-17-acetate.

16. 2-forrny1 17a methyl-A -androstadien-17 3-01-3- 17-caproate.

17. A process for the production of a compound of the following formula:

O E Elwhere R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; R .is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; and R is selected from the group consisting of hyrogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, and an alkinyl group; each containing less than 8 carbon atoms, which comprises treating the corresponding 2 hydroxymethylene-androstan-l7fi-ol-3-one derivative with :the dehydrogenating agent 2,3-diohloro-5,6+dicyanop-benzoquionone in an inert solvent.

18. A process for the productionof a compound of the following fiormula:

wherein R is selected trom the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon carboxylic acyl group of less than 12 carbon atoms; and R is selected from the group consisting :of hydnogen, an alkyl, an alkenyl, and an alkinyl group each containing Less than 8 carbon atoms, which comprises treating the 0orresponding2-hydroxy- 8 methylenetestosterone derivative with the dehy drogenat- 2,837,464 Nobile June 3, 1958 ing agent 2,3-dich1oro-5,6 dicyano-p-benzoquinone in an FOREIGN PATENTS inert solvent.

854,343 Great Bntaln Nov. 16, 1960 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 OTHER REFERENCES UNITED STATES PATENTS B.D.H. Ltd., De'rwent Belgian Report No. 55A, June Ruzicka May 5, 1942 30, 1959, page A-7. 

1. A COMPOUND OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULA: 